Venturi Injector vs Bubble Diffusers

The two most common methods of dissolving ozone into water is the venturi injector and the bubble diffusion method. Each has it’s own advantages and disadvantages and applications where it might be best used.

History:

Early ozone applications used large basins or tanks and bubble diffusers as the primary method to dissolve ozone into water. Ceramic diffusers were readily available and tanks or basins offered a simple and effective method to dissolve ozone into water. As ozone applications evolved and became more popular additional methods of dissolving ozone into water were investigated. In 1983 the Mazzei Injector company started producing special ozone compatible venturi Injectors specifically for the ozone markets. This brought the venturi injector into the mainstream ozone market from the smallest to the largest water flows and applications.

While the venturi injector can offer improved mass transfer efficiencies and smaller footprints there is still a place for the simple bubble diffuser yet today.

Advantages vs Disadvantages:

Bubble Diffuser Advantages:

Low cost
No moving parts
Easy to setup
Low energy – does not require water pumps or elevated water pressures
Simple, reliable operation long-term

Venturi Injector Advantages:

Extremely efficient ozone transfer
Great option for pressurized water
More ozone dissolved into water = less ozone off-gassing = safer environmnet
Easier to contain ozone gas and maintain a safe environment due to ozone off-gassing
Smaller tanks and and overall footprint of system can be achieved

Disadvantages:

Ideal tank/basin depth for effective ozone transfer is 18-24 feet deep
Ideal tank depths are not realistic in most applications causing this to be a less efficient transfer method.
Diffusers can become plugged and may require periodic replacement
Difficult to use in pressurized water flows

Disadvantages:

Typically requires more energy than other options due to required pressure differential across venturi injector
Requires flowing, pressurized water
Greater risk of water backing up into the ozone generator as the water is pressurized
Venturi can plug or become obstructed in contaminated water

Fundamentals of ozone solubility:

- Lower temperatures increase the solubility rate of ozone gas into liquid

- Higher pressures increase the solubility rate of ozone gas into liquid

- Higher ozone gas concentrations increase the solubility rate of ozone gas into liquid

Ozone bubbled into tank with bubble diffuser

Ozone gas dissolved into a tank with a fine pore bubble diffuser

Dissolve ozone into water with venturi injector

Ozone gas dissolved into a tank with a pump and venturi

Sealed ozone tank with venturi injector

Ozone gas dissolved into water in a sealed, pressurized system with a venturi injector. Capable of dissolving ozone into pressurized water inline while safely capturing all undissolved ozone gas.

Design considerations in favor of Bubble Diffusers:

- Existing tanks or contact basins on-site whose height favors the bubble diffuser should be considered

- Off-gassed ozone is more challenging to capture and handle with diffusers. If tanks are outdoors, or have proper venting in place already a diffuser may be a simple solution

- Clean water applications where low dissolved ozone levels are required are well suited for bubble diffusers as high levels of ozone transfer are not needed.

Examples of applications where Bubble diffusers may have an advantage:

- RO water holding tanks

- Bottled water applications

- Well water applications with outdoor water holding tanks

- Drinking water applications with large tanks or basins in place

Design considerations in favor of Venturi Injectors:

- If higher dissolved ozone levels are required a venturi injector is ideal as high transfer efficiency will be required to achieve these dissolved ozone levels

- Varying water flow rates

- Applications where pressurized water will have ozone gas added

Examples of applications where Venturi Injectors may have an advantage:

- Sanitation applications where water is the carrier of ozone and high dissolved ozone levels are required

- New construction water treatment applications where tanks are not already in place

- Applications where footprint is a concern and space is limited

- Well water applications where ozone will be added to water under pressure

Additional Information Links:

Ozone Generator Buyers Guide

Ozone FAQ's

Ozone Dosage vs Dissolved Ozone

Dissolve Ozone into water with Bubble Diffuser